Students challenged to design the tire of tomorrow

The University of Akron will welcome thousands of middle and high school students on Saturday, April 12, when The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company brings its annual Engineering Career Day to campus.

The "Tire of Tomorrow challenge" is just one of many exciting events planned to inspire youngsters to engage in activities that stimulate inventive minds.

Goodyear issued a $15,000 challenge earlier this year to future engineers in grades 9 through 12: Try your hand at inventing the “tire of tomorrow.” The challenge, offering up to $7,500 to the high school group that produces the most innovative concept, asked students and teachers to think of the world in 2230:

How are people moving from place to place?

Have cars, minivans and SUVs evolved to meet the needs of futuristic travelers?

Do people even travel on roadways anymore?

Goodyear anticipates welcoming over 3,000 students, parents and teachers for its daylong Engineering Career Day event, where they will interact with representatives from more than 40 companies, universities and civic organizations.

Goodyear scholarships and grants

The free event will also be a conduit of giving for Goodyear, which will give away over $40,000 in scholarships and grant awards to participants.

“At Goodyear, our most valuable asset is the talent and skill sets of our people," says Interim Chief Technical Officer Joe Zekoski. "Engineering Career Day showcases our dedication to fostering future engineers at a young age. Investing early is key to attracting and retaining young innovators. This event reflects Goodyear’s commitment to making STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education accessible and exciting.”

“We are pleased to welcome the participants of Goodyear’s Engineering Career Day to the University of Akron campus,” says George K. Haritos, dean of the College of Engineering. “I applaud Goodyear for its leadership in encouraging students to explore engineering. The U.S. can only benefit from enhanced interest in the field among middle and high school students.”

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 52 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear or its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

About UA's College of Engineering

In 2014, The University of Akron College of Engineering is celebrating its 100 years of student success and achievement. Its 12,000+ alumni are a testament to the solid foundation on which the College was built a century ago.

Today, 92 percent of its graduates are placed within three months of graduating, and enrollment in the college has surged 95 percent since 2004. Visit the College of Engineering's site.